Sheinbaum launches consultation for Indigenous Rights Law; over 16,000 communities to review it

President Claudia Sheinbaum has unveiled a proposed General Law on the Rights of Indigenous and Afro-Mexican Peoples, marking the culmination of an 18-month development period. The initiative is now set to enter a broad consultation phase, engaging over 16,000 indigenous and Afro-Mexican communities across the country.

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The General Law on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which must be consulted to comply with the Constitution, has had work done on it, and it has practically taken a year and a half to work on the Law, and it is ready.

During a press conference, Sheinbaum highlighted the extensive work invested in the proposal, emphasizing its constitutional requirement for consultation. Luisa María Alcalde, the President's Legal Counsel, detailed the process, which aims to benefit an estimated 25.8 million indigenous and Afro-Mexican individuals. The consultation, managed by the National Institute of Indigenous Peoples (INPI), the Ministry of the Interior (Segob), and the Legal Counsel's office, will span several stages.

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The proposal will be analyzed by 16,728 communities, and it will seek to benefit 25.8 million indigenous and Afro-Mexican people.

The process begins with the official launch and concludes on October 12 with the submission of the initiative to the Chamber of Deputies. Key phases include an informational campaign from July 1 to August 6, followed by community deliberations respecting traditional practices from August 7 to September 13. These deliberations will occur through 82 consultation assemblies and seven specialized working groups. Subsequently, from September 21 to October 11, proposals from the communities will be reviewed and incorporated into the initiative.

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respecting their traditional ways

Adelfo Regino Montes, Director General of INPI, noted that the draft law comprises eight books and a transitional regime. He also mentioned that 148 working meetings were held with 35 federal government entities, and the Supreme Court of Justice was consulted on aspects related to justice. The initiative seeks to ensure the rights of indigenous and Afro-Mexican peoples are formally recognized and protected under Mexican law.

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There have been 148 working meetings with 35 dependencies and entities of the Federal Public Administration, and the opinion of the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation has also been requested, particularly in aspects related to justice.